Southern
Baptist president Frank Page is speaking to fellow Baptists across the
country with a resolve to pull together a denomination that has been
wracked with divisions.

Page
is scheduled to open the Florida Baptist State Convention's annual meeting
in November, when Baptists hope to talk about what unites rather than
divides them.

Isn't
that like cancer patients meeting at the hospital to celebrate their collective
weight loss rather than get treatment for what's killing them? What shall
we do - buddy-up and hug our way to good health? How does this differ
from Joel Osteen's gumball gospel?

"There
are forces at work today to try to divide and distract Baptists from
our primary mission. We cannot allow methodological differences, generational
gaps, or stylistic preferences to divide us," said state convention
president Willy Rice, according to Florida Baptist Witness. "We need
each other and we truly are better when we are together."

The theme of the
Nov. 12-13 meeting is "We Are Better Together."

But
are Baptists really better together? And just what is "our
primary mission" anyway, peace and unity? Is that why Jesus came?

"Suppose
ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather
division..." - Luke 12:51

You
see, the real "distraction" here is the false claim that Baptists are
being divided by "methodological differences, generational gaps" and "stylistic
preferences." This tired old argument has been coming from the bowels
of the Southern Baptist Convention for years - mostly from trained facilitators
who have made careers out of exploiting biblical ignorance and spinning
the scriptures to promote goodwill rather than God's Will.

In spite
of their claims, in most cases, it is not style or preference that is
causing this deep-seated conflict - but rather conviction - meaning it
is the Word of God that is dividing Baptists. That is the "Sword" Jesus
was referring to in Matthew 10:34 when He said: "I came not to send
peace, but a sword."

And
dialoging differences away in pursuit of consensus only compromises conviction
for camaraderie - creating a corrupted collective conscience that is guided
by the glossy dreams and silky schemes of ambitious men - not God's Word.

"For
my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith
the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways
higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah
55:8-9

Unfortunately,
the Southern Baptist Convention is quickly becoming a simonized rattletrap
that is careening off the narrow way of scriptural obedience toward the
"wide gate" and "broad way" of groupthink - a junked-filled jalopy that
is forsaking the humble paths of righteousness for the highways and byways
of peer-pressure and pragmatism - preaching Results
& Relationships at every turn instead of repentance and faith in Jesus
Christ - "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof."
(2nd Timothy 3:5)

Shall
we acknowledge our brokenness and seek repair or just apply more lubricant
to keep the noise down? Are we justified by His Grace or by our grease?

The
Lord's call to sinners, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand," has been reduced to: "Jesus loves you and so do we."

But
when did the apostles ever preach that? And how many of them were martyred
for delivering such a message?

That
alone should tell Baptists that something has gone awry with this thing
called "church" - and that indeed is what it has become - a thing - a
lifeless form that is worshipped and served for the glory and gratification
of those who made it what it is today. Yes, an idol�with a gospel message
all its own.

"But
though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than
that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." - Galatians
1:8

The
article goes on to say:

Speaking
at the annual meeting of the Tulsa Metro Association of Baptist Churches,
Page acknowledged factions within the Southern Baptist Convention who
aren't even talking to each other.

"The
groups that are so deeply divided within our convention ... have made
little effort to come together," said Page, according to Tulsa World.
"And those divisions are so deep that some of the groups will not even
talk to each other. And that greatly disturbs me and gives me great
caution about our future."

Hellooooo???

"�for
what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion
hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or
what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?" - 2nd Corinthians
6:14b-15

And
then there was this presidential proclamation:

Moreover,
Southern Baptists do not have the greatest image, Page indicated.

"There's
a lot of negativity out there toward religious groups, and certainly
toward our group, because we've apparently come across as very legalistic
and mean-spirited, and I think that's sometimes accurate, because sometimes
we've acted that way," said Page, according to the local newspaper.

Fascinating
- The wheels are coming off the SBC and its leader is more concerned with
what it looks like than what it is - or rather, what it isn't.

Maybe
we Baptists should just put our Bibles away and hire an image consultant.
They're experts at putting earrings on orangutans.

The line
dividing evangelicals from progressives blurred Wednesday as members
from both parties joined in a new mission to erase long-held stereotypes
of one another and seek commonality on polarizing issues such as abortion,
gay rights, and the role of religion in public life.

Both
sides agreed the "civil war" between evangelicals and progressives needs
to end and common ground pursued in order for the nation to make significant
progress on divisive issues.

Could
these be a few of those "methodological differences, generational gaps"
and "stylistic preferences" Florida's State Convention president was referring
to earlier or do they just serve to get the devilish dialog going between
opposing forces and everyone onboard the Consensus Express to common ground?

"And
he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but
God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is
abomination in the sight of God." - Luke 16:15

Paul Proctor, a rural resident of the Volunteer
state and seasoned veteran of the country music industry, retired from
showbiz in the late 1990's to dedicate himself to addressing important
social issues from a distinctly biblical perspective. As a freelance writer
and regular columnist for NewsWithViews.com,
he extols the wisdom and truths of scripture through commentary and insight
on cultural trends and current events. His articles appear regularly on
a variety of news and opinion sites across the internet and in print.